Stoke City striker Joselu has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Newcastle United.

After scoring just four goals in his opening season in the Potteries, Joselu was loaned out to Deportivo La Coruna where he enjoyed another mixed year with five goals from 20 outings.

The Spaniard is now back at Stoke but according to The Sun, Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez wants to take the 27-year-old to St James' Park.

Benitez is looking for another forward ahead of the start of the new Premier League campaign, and Joselu has seemingly been identified as an affordable option for the North-East outfit.

Joselu has netted four times for Stoke during pre-season, and manager Mark Hughes may now have second thoughts over selling a player who still has two years remaining on his contract.

As it stands, Joselu is competing with Saido Berahino and Peter Crouch for a starting role on the first weekend of the upcoming season.